How to Change a Flat Tire
A flat tire always happens at the least convenient time. You’re on your way to work or your kids have a recital you promised you’d be at, or you’re on your way to dinner with an old friend. The last thing you have time for is a call to Roadside Assistance, no matter how speedy they may be. Your spare tire needs to be installed, and now. But do you have the knowledge to do it yourself?
It’s okay. Take
a deep breath. It’s easier than you think. Here’s how to change a flat tire,
courtesy of your Southern California Ford Dealers.
What You’ll Need
Everything you
need to perform your very own tire change service comes with your Ford vehicle
when you purchase it. Items you’ll require include:
·
A
vehicle jack to lift the wheel off the ground.
·
The
lug nut wrench to loosen and tighten – you guessed it – the lug nuts.
·
Your
owner’s manual for instructions.
·
Your
spare tire.
·
The
wheel lock key, if equipped.
Take what you
need out of your vehicle for easy access. Next, you’re ready to get started.
How to Change a Tire
Step 1: Secure Your Vehicle
It would be
very dangerous if your car started to roll while you were changing your tire. Whenever
possible, park on a flat, even surface to change a tire. Engage the parking
brake and place a wheel chock behind at least one of the fully inflated tires.
Step 2: Loosen the Lug Nuts
Before you lift
the wheel off the ground, it’s a good plan to crack the lug nuts loose. They
can be very tight. Don’t remove them completely quite yet – just get them
turned a quarter turn or so.
If you have
wheel locks, fit the wheel lock key over the one lug nut that looks funny.
Then, you can loosen it with the lug nut wrench like the others.
Step 3: Lift the Wheel Off the
Ground
Check your
owner’s manual for proper jack placement on your vehicle. Once you have your
jack in place, crank it up until the wheel lifts off the ground. You’ll need to
bring it high enough that a fully inflated tire will be able to fit onto your car.
Step 4: Take the Wheel Off
Now’s the time
to take your flat tire all the way off. Use the lug nut wrench or, if you’ve
loosened the lug nuts enough, you may be able to spin them off by hand. Put the
flat tire in the back of your car so you can bring it to your local Ford car
care center to fix it.
Step 5: Install the Spare Tire
Slide the spare
tire into place on the wheel studs. If you have a compact spare, you’ll know
you have it on the right way if the valve stem is facing out. Install the lug
nuts by hand until they are snug. It doesn’t hurt to tighten them with the
wrench now also.
Step 6: Lower Your Car
With the spare
tire in place, slowly lower the jack and remove it from under your car. But
you’re not done quite yet – you still need to finish tightening the lug nuts.
Crank the lug nuts down as tight as you can with the lug nut wrench in a star
pattern.
Congrats!
You’ve done it. Just don’t forget to remove the wheel chocks and release the
parking brake.
Get Your Tire Fixed
Now that you’ve
changed a flat tire, you’ll need to get it fixed and re-installed. Your
Southern California Ford Dealers can perform all your routine car maintenance,
and that includes tire repairs. Whether you need a tire patch or a new set of
four for your Ford SUV, car, or truck, check online for service coupons to get you rolling once again.
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